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Interview: Karen Radley about Scoop's concept and future

by Emma Holmqvist Deacon — November 02, 2012

Launched in February 2011, Scoop is a London based boutique fair showcasing home grown and international contemporary labels, including an expanding crop of premium denim names. We spoke to founder Karen Radley about her brainchild’s identity, and what lies ahead.

Please describe the essence of Scoop, and explain how the concept differs from other womenswear fairs.Since it was launched in February 2011, Scoop has developed organically, and the format changes slightly each season, encompassing not only the exhibitors collections but also the fabulous art pieces housed within the Saatchi Gallery. With my extensive knowledge of the fashion industry, I take a hands-on approach curating the look and feel of the exhibition and this sets Scoop apart from the more traditional tradeshows. The concept of Scoop is very clear; my chief aim is to exhibit the right brands and attracting the right retailers. The Premium Denim selection of labels currently includes Mother, Bleulab, Levis Made & Crafted, DL1961, and next season M2F will be among the name exhibiting for the first time.

What prompted you to launch a boutique show in particular?My father was the founder of the clothing label Radley, and also went on to buy Quorum in 1968, which is the company behind the likes of Ossie Clark, Betty Jackson and Alice Pollock. Hence, I grew up in the fashion industry and worked within it for many years. After taking a break, I returned in 2004 in the role of an agent representing collections including Missoni Sport. I quickly realised there was a gap in the market in London for a show catering to the type of brands I represented. That’s when the idea for Scoop started to take shape.

Scoop has grown significantly since its inception. How will the expansion affect the identity of the show, if at all? Scoop launched with 45 exhibitors in February 2011, and the next show (10-12 Feb.) will see a line-up of around 250 labels, with a waiting list to boot. Despite the expansion, Scoop will always remain a boutique and niche tradeshow, but I am hoping to broaden the product offer by possibly introducing more menswear in line with the contemporary womenswear brands.